Mentor coach placed on leave after accusations of inappropriate behavior

MENTOR, OH (WOIO) -
A wrestling coach at a Mentor middle school has been placed on leave. The coach, who is not employed as a staff member, is accused of acting inappropriately towards a student.

After school officials learned of the incident, police were notified.

The Mentor Police Department received a complaint on Jan. 18 alleging sexual imposition filed by a mother on behalf of her 13-year-old daughter.

The next day, parents were informed of the complaint by the school district.

The district sent the following letter to members of the wrestling team:

Dear parents and guardians of Memorial's wresting program participants,

We have been informed of allegations that Memorial Middle School's wrestling coach may have acted in ways that were inappropriate toward a student. Immediately upon hearing these allegations we contacted the Mentor Police Department, and officers are now conducting an investigation. The coach is not a teacher or staff member of the district. He has been placed on leave from his coaching duties. The assistant coach will assume the responsibilities of head coach for the remainder of the season.

We take all allegations of misconduct extremely seriously in Mentor Schools. We are proud of the students who reached out to adults they trusted with this information so appropriate safety precautions could be taken.

19 Action News has reached out to the coach, but has received no response yet.